Hurricane (Disaster Series #1)

Kabanata 37

Without Inhibitions

Matalim na titig ang iginawad ko kay Peter pagkapasok na pagkapasok niya sa loob ng room ni Asmodeus. Napangisi siya habang napapakamot sa batok.

I can't help but roll my eyes at him. He told me that Asmodeus' condition is critical, hindi naman pala. Well, Asmodeus got scratches, and other than the cast on his neck, his condition is nowhere near critical like what Peter told me on the phone.

At imbes na unahin ang pagtatalak kay Peter ay kaagad kong nilapitan si Asmodeus sa hospital bed niya.

"Maayos ba ang pakiramdam mo? What did the doctor say?"

His lips rose to a smile as he looked at me sit on the chair beside his bed.

Asmodeus has always been serious but he's got this childish side to him. Dahil imbes na ipanatag ang pag-aalala ko, mas ngumiwi pa siya at umaktong nasasaktan.

Napasapo ako sa noo ko. Magpinsan nga sila ni Peter.

"Kidding, this is nothing serious. Ano ba kasi ang sinabi sa 'yo ni Peter at napapunta ka agad dito? You were enjoying your vacation."

I sighed. Yes, I left my vacation at imbes na manghinayang dahil doon, mas na-relieved pa ako. Dahil finally, maiiwasan ko na si Lucius Alcuesta. I've been so confused with what has happened the past few days I spent in that beach resort.

"Itong magaling mo kasing pinsan, sinabing critical na ang condition mo. Who wouldn't be worried?"

Nang balingan namin si Peter ay nangingiti siyang umatras at dahan-dahang umalis sa kuwarto.

"I have to go out and talk with the doctor," sabi ni Peter bago tumakas para hindi na mabungangaan.

"I'm sorry. He didn't purposely lie though. Si Tita kasi grabe kung maka-react at gano'n nga ang sinabi kay Peter."

I heaved a deep sigh and smiled. I always feel this connection to Asmodeus. Maybe because we almost have the same story. His parents died at a young age and he lived with his Tita, which is Peter's mother.

I kept my smile small and tapped his cheeks.

"I was worried. Ano ba kasi ang pinaggagawa mo? You raced again?"

Ang kaninang ngiti na nasa labi niya ay unti-unting naglaho bago niya ikinunot ang noo.

"Gael Alcuesta challenged me to a race. I thought that motherfucker needs to be taught a lesson. Masyadong mayabang."

Napamaang ako sa sinabi niya. Gael Alcuesta? Lucius Alcuesta's younger brother? Ano ba ang nangyayari? I planned to avoid him until I am ready pero tila hindi yata sumasang-ayon ang panahon sa gusto kong mangyari.

I first met their oldest brother, Ellia. Then I met him on that beach resort. At ngayon naman, maririnig ko ang tungkol kay Gael. The world must be too small for the two of us.

Kaya nang nakalabas na si Asmodeus sa hospital ay mas pinili ko na lang talagang manatili sa bahay. I don't have any plans of continuing my vacation anymore. Pakiramdam ko, magtatagpo ulit ang landas namin.

The time I stayed inside my room was spent on pondering. Hindi mawala sa isipan ko ang huling pinag-usapan namin noon sa lifeguard tower. He looked so clueless that time.

But why is he denying it? There's no way that he didn't have a relationship with Loreen. I saw the scene and heard it clearly back then. Nakausap ko pa nga noon si Loreen sa hospital and she confirmed that Lucius Alcuesta is indeed the father of her child.

So what is his purpose in lying? To fool me? I don't know. The only thing that I know is that I should avoid him for now.

Kaya mananatili na lang talaga sana ako sa bahay hanggang sa pagbabalik ko sa company pero hindi ko na naiwasan pang lumabas at makihalubilo sa mga tao dahil sa inihandang welcome party para sa akin.